NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Injectors
1530.6%
Fuel Injection System
1224.5%
Gasoline
612.2%
Front Underhood
612.2%
Exhaust System
48.2%
Foundation Components
24.1%
Automatic Transmission
24.1%
Delivery
24.1%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 1995peak 4Apr 2004
NHTSA investigations into the 1985 Nissan Maxima
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA94018Opened 23 Jun 1994Closed 8 Nov 1995FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FUEL INJECTOR ASSEMBLY LEAKAGE
AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT IS INCLUDED IN THE PUBLIC FILE.SERVICE CAMPAIGN 95I-006.
PE88025Opened 9 Feb 1988Closed 11 May 1988STEERING
STEERING MALFUNCTION
Recalls on the 1985 Nissan Maxima
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
95I006000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. THE CAMPAIGN WILL REPLACE THE FUEL INJECTORS AND RELATED HOSES OF AFFECTED VEHICLES WHICH COULD LEAK.
Risk: FUEL LEAKS IN THE ENGINE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
86V096000
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
THERE MAY BE INSUFFICIENT THICKNESS OF ADHESIVE IN THE CONTACT AREA BETWEEN THE BOTTOM OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD GLASS AND THE BODY. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THIS LACK OF ADHESIVE MAY CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD TO DISMOUNT IN AN ACCIDENT, THUS FAILING TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS 212, WINDSHIELD MOUNTING AND WHICH MAY ALLOW THE OCCUPANTS TO BE EJECTED OUT OF THE CAR, CAUSING MORE SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATH.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 90,000 milesST. Louis, MOFire
STEERING
ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE AS A RESULT OF ADMITTED DEFECTIVE FUEL INJECTORS(ON RECALL). NISSAN REPLACED FUEL INJECTORS AT NO CHARGE, BUT WOULD NOT REPLACE OTHER DAMAGED ITEMS SUCH AS, POWER STEERING, "SEVERE" SEAL DAMAGE CAUSING LARGE OIL LEAK, AND OTHER DAMAGES. I HAVE CALLED AND WRITTEN NISSAN. ALSO, NO APOLOGIES FOR MY INCONVENIENCES.
NHTSA complaint #10069981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesST. Louis, MOFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE AS A RESULT OF ADMITTED DEFECTIVE FUEL INJECTORS(ON RECALL). NISSAN REPLACED FUEL INJECTORS AT NO CHARGE, BUT WOULD NOT REPLACE OTHER DAMAGED ITEMS SUCH AS, POWER STEERING, "SEVERE" SEAL DAMAGE CAUSING LARGE OIL LEAK, AND OTHER DAMAGES. I HAVE CALLED AND WRITTEN NISSAN. ALSO, NO APOLOGIES FOR MY INCONVENIENCES.
NHTSA complaint #10069981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesST. Louis, MOFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE AS A RESULT OF ADMITTED DEFECTIVE FUEL INJECTORS(ON RECALL). NISSAN REPLACED FUEL INJECTORS AT NO CHARGE, BUT WOULD NOT REPLACE OTHER DAMAGED ITEMS SUCH AS, POWER STEERING, "SEVERE" SEAL DAMAGE CAUSING LARGE OIL LEAK, AND OTHER DAMAGES. I HAVE CALLED AND WRITTEN NISSAN. ALSO, NO APOLOGIES FOR MY INCONVENIENCES.
NHTSA complaint #10069981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesSaint Louis, MOFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE FUEL INJECTORS. ROYED INJECTORS AND OWER STEERING PUMP, NUMEROUS OIL SEALS, ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS, ETC. IN ADDITION THERE WAS GENERAL SOOT ALL OVER THE ENGINE, WHICH WIIL NOT COME OFF.*AK FURTHERMORE, IT WAS A DANGEOUS SITUATION, AND HAD TO CALL THE FIRE DEPT.. NISSAN AGREED TO FIX/REPLACE FUEL INJECTORS "ONLY".
NHTSA complaint #10033449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NISSAN MAXIMA FUEL INJECTORS LEAKED CAUSING LARGE FIRE IN ENGINE AREA. INJECTORS ARE ON RECALL BECAUSE OF DEFECT BUT I WAS NOT INFORMED. NISSAN REFUSES TO PAY FOR ALL DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE FIRE. NISSAN ADMITS INJECTORS ARE DEFECTIVE. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10023942 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vallejo, CAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WAS NOTIFIED OF A RECALL DUE TO ENGINE FIRES BY A FRIEND WHO WORKED AT NISSAN. I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR THE REPAIR TO BE DONE AND WAS PUT ON A WAITING LIST. WAS NEVER CONTACTED BACK. WHEN I TRY TO START MY CAR ONE DAY, THE ENGINE BLEW UP LIFTING THE FRONT END OF MY CAR OFF THE GROUND AND MY CARS FRONT END (ENGINE) WAS ON FIRE. I SENT ALL THE INFORMATION TO NISSAN AND THEY GAVE ME THE RUN AROUND FOR ABOUT A YEAR. THEY WANTED RECEIPTS FOR OIL CHANGES AND TUNE UPS, WHICH I DID NOT HAVE. IT WAS BECOMING TO MUCH OF A HASSLE AND I STOPPED PURSUING IT. PREVIOUSLY I SENT THEM ALL THE INFORMATION REGARDING MY CAR AND ALL REPORTS REGARDING THE INCIDENT. I EVEN HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALER TO EXAMINE THE CAR AS THEY HAD INSTRUCTED. I STILL WAS NEVER REIMBURSED FOR MY CAR.
NHTSA complaint #736352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 90,000 milesST. Louis, MOFire
STEERING
ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE AS A RESULT OF ADMITTED DEFECTIVE FUEL INJECTORS(ON RECALL). NISSAN REPLACED FUEL INJECTORS AT NO CHARGE, BUT WOULD NOT REPLACE OTHER DAMAGED ITEMS SUCH AS, POWER STEERING, "SEVERE" SEAL DAMAGE CAUSING LARGE OIL LEAK, AND OTHER DAMAGES. I HAVE CALLED AND WRITTEN NISSAN. ALSO, NO APOLOGIES FOR MY INCONVENIENCES.
NHTSA complaint #10069981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesST. Louis, MOFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE AS A RESULT OF ADMITTED DEFECTIVE FUEL INJECTORS(ON RECALL). NISSAN REPLACED FUEL INJECTORS AT NO CHARGE, BUT WOULD NOT REPLACE OTHER DAMAGED ITEMS SUCH AS, POWER STEERING, "SEVERE" SEAL DAMAGE CAUSING LARGE OIL LEAK, AND OTHER DAMAGES. I HAVE CALLED AND WRITTEN NISSAN. ALSO, NO APOLOGIES FOR MY INCONVENIENCES.
NHTSA complaint #10069981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesST. Louis, MOFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE AS A RESULT OF ADMITTED DEFECTIVE FUEL INJECTORS(ON RECALL). NISSAN REPLACED FUEL INJECTORS AT NO CHARGE, BUT WOULD NOT REPLACE OTHER DAMAGED ITEMS SUCH AS, POWER STEERING, "SEVERE" SEAL DAMAGE CAUSING LARGE OIL LEAK, AND OTHER DAMAGES. I HAVE CALLED AND WRITTEN NISSAN. ALSO, NO APOLOGIES FOR MY INCONVENIENCES.
NHTSA complaint #10069981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Bernardino,, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FONTANA DEALER WHICH IS NOW PURCHASED BY SAN BERNARDINO NISSAN ADVISED ME SOMETIME IN 1993 THAT FUEL INJECTORS ARE TO BE CHANGED UNDER RECALL. I GAVE MY CAR WITH TRUST TO PERFORM NECESSARY REPLACEMENTS OF INJECTORS AND RELATED HOSES.THE JOB WAS NOT DONE. WHEN OTHER DEALER AS WELL AS PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIANS DETECTED THAT THE JOB WAS NOT DONE AND THE ORIGINAL PARTS ARE THERE. I TOOK IT TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, PLANET NISSAN [NOW SAN BERNARDINO NISSAN] TO CHECK AND CONFIRM. HE DID NOT CHECK MY CAR INSTEAD VERIFIED HIS RECORDS ONLY AND DENIED.THE CAR HAS STILL UNCHANGED PARTS AND RECENTLY IT WAS AGAIN DETECTED BY PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC THAT THE JOB UNDER RECALL IS NOT DONE. I TRUSTED THE DEALER AND I AM NOT A MECHANIC TO VERIFY. YOU CAN SEE OR ADVISE DEALER TO VERIFY. MY CAR IS IN SACRAMENTO AND IS USED BY MY SON [TEL # 1-916-296-2163] AND YOU CAN REACH HIM TO TAKE THE CAR TO A DEALER FOR YOUR CONFIRMATION/VERIFICATION.
NHTSA complaint #10063720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesSaint Louis, MOFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE FUEL INJECTORS. ROYED INJECTORS AND OWER STEERING PUMP, NUMEROUS OIL SEALS, ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS, ETC. IN ADDITION THERE WAS GENERAL SOOT ALL OVER THE ENGINE, WHICH WIIL NOT COME OFF.*AK FURTHERMORE, IT WAS A DANGEOUS SITUATION, AND HAD TO CALL THE FIRE DEPT.. NISSAN AGREED TO FIX/REPLACE FUEL INJECTORS "ONLY".
NHTSA complaint #10033449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NISSAN MAXIMA FUEL INJECTORS LEAKED CAUSING LARGE FIRE IN ENGINE AREA. INJECTORS ARE ON RECALL BECAUSE OF DEFECT BUT I WAS NOT INFORMED. NISSAN REFUSES TO PAY FOR ALL DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE FIRE. NISSAN ADMITS INJECTORS ARE DEFECTIVE. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10023942 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seattle, WA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
HAD FUEL INJECTORS SERVICE 10/2001, NOW VEHICLE DOES NOT PASS EMISSION TEST AND DEALER DENIES ANY CONNECTION. SAYS NEEDS $2100.00 PLUS REPAIR WORK.
NHTSA complaint #741525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HAD FUEL INJECTORS SERVICE 10/2001, NOW VEHICLE DOES NOT PASS EMISSION TEST AND DEALER DENIES ANY CONNECTION. SAYS NEEDS $2100.00 PLUS REPAIR WORK.
NHTSA complaint #741525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Raleigh, NC
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM FAILED, THE CONSUMER IS BEING DENIED RECALL 95I-006, DUE TO TIME PERIOD. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #783590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vallejo, CAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WAS NOTIFIED OF A RECALL DUE TO ENGINE FIRES BY A FRIEND WHO WORKED AT NISSAN. I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR THE REPAIR TO BE DONE AND WAS PUT ON A WAITING LIST. WAS NEVER CONTACTED BACK. WHEN I TRY TO START MY CAR ONE DAY, THE ENGINE BLEW UP LIFTING THE FRONT END OF MY CAR OFF THE GROUND AND MY CARS FRONT END (ENGINE) WAS ON FIRE. I SENT ALL THE INFORMATION TO NISSAN AND THEY GAVE ME THE RUN AROUND FOR ABOUT A YEAR. THEY WANTED RECEIPTS FOR OIL CHANGES AND TUNE UPS, WHICH I DID NOT HAVE. IT WAS BECOMING TO MUCH OF A HASSLE AND I STOPPED PURSUING IT. PREVIOUSLY I SENT THEM ALL THE INFORMATION REGARDING MY CAR AND ALL REPORTS REGARDING THE INCIDENT. I EVEN HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALER TO EXAMINE THE CAR AS THEY HAD INSTRUCTED. I STILL WAS NEVER REIMBURSED FOR MY CAR.
NHTSA complaint #736352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisville, CO
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
I HAVE SINCE HAD MY LEAK REPAIRED AFTER LEARNING OF THE RECALL ON THE INTERNET (CAR POINT). I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED BY NISSAN OF THE RECALL IN 1995. I PAID TO FIX THE PROBLEM OF THE SMELL OF GASOLINE IN APRIL OF 1995 BUT CAR STILL SMELLED LIKE GAS INTERMITTENTLY AND I WAS NEVER TOLD BY ANYONE THAT MY CAR COULD CATCH ON FIRE! THANKFULLY, THE PROBLEM IS FIXED WITH A NEW INJECTOR AND HOSE HARNESS SYSTEM, AND MY FAMILY AND MY HOME ARE NO LONGER IN DANGER OF FIRE BUT BUT I FEEL THAT NISSAN SHOULD PAY FOR PREVIOUS REPAIRS THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #729614 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lady Lake, FLFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FUEL INJECTORS FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #534433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seaford, DE
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
RECALL REPAIR (P5137) COMPLETED ON THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, HOWEVER AFTER REPAIR DAMAGES TO ENGINE RESULTING FROM DEFECTIVE SYSTEM. MJS
NHTSA complaint #527935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NHTSA complaint #514072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orlando, FLFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FUEL INJECTION WIRING SYSTEM FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #821045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Battenrough, LAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
STARTED VEHICLE AT NOON. AFTER VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING FOR 2 HOURS, SAW SMOKE THEN FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD AREA OF VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT FIRE OUT.
NHTSA complaint #821829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orlando, FLFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
HAD RECEIVED NOTICE (395I006000) & CALLED DEALER. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. TOOK NOTIFICATION & TORE IT UP. DROVE TO A STORE & VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #821045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Millington, TN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
MR. SWINSON HAS LOOKED AT (15) NISSAN MAXIMA'S BETWEEN THE YEARS OF 1985 THROUGH 1988 AND FOUND THAT THEY ALL HAD BROKEN EXHAUST MANIFOLDS ON EITHER THE LEFT SIDE OR FRONT SIDE .
NHTSA complaint #810825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.